How I Became A Quadriplegic | Being Paralyzed for 7 Years | Cole & Charisma 

She is in love, that lady is in love and it is so pure and genuine

Way to go Cole... I've been a paraplegic for 42 years now (since just before my 25th birthday.) After falling almost 75 feet from the bridge above it, I layed in a bayou in Houston for 17 hours before being found. Do keep inspiring my friend.

Charisma doesn't see the chair and a disabled person. She sees the man she loves and is in love with.

This is so crazy. I broke my neck on August 1st, 2014. I haven’t been doing well this past year... but you give me hope. Thanks.

The way she looks at him tho ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️LOVE

All I see is tears coming down my eyes, over and over again. Your story reminds me of my little brother whom at 16 also but contrary to you was stabbed by an acquaintance to his femoral artery. My brother was so athletic, handsome, full of life, he was everybody favorite and yet, he was left bleeding all alone for a long time, thank God for a good samaritain who happened to see him and called 911, by the time the ambulance arrived he has already passed out, he lost oxygen to his brain, was in cardiac arrest for 30 long minutes, the doctors never gave up, he was resuscitated, subsequently suffered a schismatic brain injury. He went from sitting in a wheelchair to relearning everything, we were told that he would be brain damage but guess what, after 14 years , he walks by himself, does everything by himself, even with a left side paralysis, he is now a little more outgoing. He is healing and sometimes it does takes years and years of healing. I truly understand how you feel especially considering your age . The lord will continue to strengthen you everyday.

My biggest fear when I was recovering from a neck fracture was not finding someone. It’s been 29 years and I never did. So thrilled that you have love.

My daughter was involved in a head on car collision, with a drunk police officer. 8 March 2020 she became a quadriplegic. Watching this video is so overwhelming because it brings back so many scary memories, times when we thought we would lose her. She survived and life is forever different. Thank you for sharing your struggles, your story and creating awareness. There are 2 versions s on me as my daughter's mother, the before the accident and the after. Life in a wheelchair is challenging, your language changes, the education that you need to manage living and supporting changes. My daughter introduced me to your channel and I just wanted to thank you for your honesty, and showing the truth of what living in a wheelchair is like.❤

I literally got sick to my stomach as Cole told his story!! It's so scary how fast an accident can happen!!!!

I tried not to cry, but it was impossible. You're so remarkable Cole.

The way your friend moved you in the water is almost exactly how lifeguards are trained!! You are so lucky to have such an amazing group around you!! ❤️❤️

When he said “what’s up guys” after the tube, I started bawling

You speaking for the first time at 4:54 got me laughing and tears rolling at the same time. Such a beautiful moment 😭

I love Cole's confidence and humour. Charisma lives up to her name. She is an amazing girlfriend and Miss Charmful too. Love your videos - more please?. You two make a great couple. All the best.

Not sure why or how RU-vid recommended them to me but I’m literally ugly crying right now and I’m subscribing and going to watch all their videos I love them 😭😭😭

My heart melts when he tells her she's what drives him to keep going.

Cole has the best personality. His optimism is why he has done so well.

I have fallen in love with you two after just 2 videos! This one really shows the depth of your being, that you not only went back to where the accident happened but to share such details and intimate videos makes me speechless! I have no words to explain what I feel. I just feel love and hope! For you to have such a bright loving smile on your face when you spoke your first words is beyond anything I ever witnessed. I have dealt sickness and depression and being angry for what I was going through. your honest and transparency about not wanting and even being fearful of getting depressed is such wisdom because it can take you down fast. Continue to stay “ all the way up”!! Hi sweet Charisma!! Love you and praying for you both! Such positivity as a couple and as an interracial couple when our country is face with such racism, you beautiful people make my heart happy!!

He is a warrior and she is an angel (a perfect couple) sorry about my basic sentence, I am just recently learning English. Guys, u are an inspiration.

My boyfriend was just in a car accident November 22nd & is now quadriplegic. Watching this gave me so much hope. Seeing where you were and are now & I can only pray he has the same results as you! I needed to see this 😭

I hope the Lord will continue to bless you guys .

I suffered a stroke at 21 and I was pregnant that was 3 years ago. It affected my mobility of my arms, hands and fingers and it injured my c4 it’s hard sometimes to not be the person you were before but with love and support it makes everyday brighter. I’m lucky to have a man who stuck by me and I have a healthy 3 year old and I wouldn’t change my life for anything else

I'm late on this train but at the end when she was talking about being positive because of him, she was starting a sentence and didn't know how to end it and he would perfectly come in and finish her thought. She looked at him like "Exactly". Love. That's what it looks like.

In the begging of the video I was not sure why RU-vid recommend me this video but after watch everything I realised that God was showing me how grateful we should be for our life and you are definitely such a big exemplo for all of us! Thanks for all of your positivity! 🤩

There;s no way you can not fall in love with Cole

My brother has a very similar story .... out with family on a hot summer day .... Head to the creek and have a good day .... he slipped & fell & hit his head on rocks .... fought for his life for 7 months ... unfortunately he didn’t make it ... thanks for sharing your story with all of us .... I’m GLAD you made it 🙏🏼❤️

I'm Canadian and we had a seminar in high school where a lot of quadrapeligic people come and basically explain never to dive into any water you dont know or cant see into. Basically every single one of them became a quad by diving into somewhere shallow. It happens so much. I'm sorry it happened to you.

my uncle has almost the same story as you, he became a quadriplegic, (but he can move his arms) at 17 when he was playing with some friends in a river and hit his head on a rock, I'm very proud of my uncle, for sure you are warriors.

I got so emotional when he said "what's up guys?" for the first time. You're got such an amazing support system..... Rest in peace Micheal.

DON'T EVER DIVE. That message needs to get out to everyone. That said, God bless you both and I pray Cole for that medical breakthrough to happen.

Charisma looks like Vanessa Hudgens, her features do. Maybe it is just me.

My son in Oct 2016 had a accident and ended up with a TBI, he was also 16 at the time. He had multiple brain surgeries and many days in the Icu. He finally got to come home in February 2017. His school and the whole community done so much for him and us. We will forever be grateful. Having so much support and ppl being there for you plays so much in a recovery. He's 23 now and doing great.

He’s so handsome 😍

In a split second anyone’s life can change in a split second. I’m most impressed by your determination to make the best of what life has to offer in this new phase. You’re fortunate to have found the perfect partner. God is good. Love you guys

The look on charisma as she watches him talk is amazingly beautiful

My brother was 20 when he was hit by a drunk driver, it truly changed our family forever. He’s passed now but Cole reminds me so much of him. What a great video to stumble across

Charisma looks like a young Eartha Kitt.

I'm literally holding back tears , not because he's paralysed but because of all the support he had

I am a HCA in a neurological centre dedicated to trauma and spinal injuries. We see people from all walks of life and all types of trauma we do our best in helping them get better and be able to reach the level of indepency you have. It's simply amazing. You are incredible both of you. I'm so happy to see how far you've come. Xx

I ran to my mom cause I wanted to watch but I can feel my self getting ready to cry.. I jumped in bed with my mom and we both ended up crying. Ur so inspiring. So strong. So beautiful. Love u both.

This deserves to be a TED talk! I’ve fallen in love with this channel after watching 1 video in my recommendations! I love the bond that you guys have and growth that you guys are going through together! I’d love to keep watching you guys! It’s unique and beautiful ❤️

How can anyone thumbs down this video?! I feel sorry for those 58 people that feel the need to thumbs down such a beautiful video like this.

When he called his brother over and spelled out such a horrible thing, breaks my heart 😭😩😢

I went to the awesome Shepherd Center in 1995 after my crash. THIS July 24th 2020 will be 25 YEARS of Life after Spinal Cord Injury. Many said they were soooo close to a cure then. It's frustrating. I choose each day & appreciate life doing what I can, learning & trying new things & embracing my life, dreams, career & loved ones. Never thought I'd still be sitting, but each year I celebrate with a burst of peace, joy, love, & FUN. This 25th year was supposed to be Parasailing, but looks like Corona won't let me... So I have 2 other ideas under my wheels. While living to the fullest I'm still prayerful & wanting to meet the one God created & molded just for me, & I for him, too so we can continue to reflect joy and Travel when it's safe again, seeing the rest of this world that God created. Blessings to you both!

You would be an incredible motivational speaker.

Okay y’alls 2 hour morning routine was on my home page so I decided to watch it and now I’m binge watching all the videos from the beginning and I swear I love how amazing y’all are❤️ new subscriber

I just found your channel, and even though I'm not interracial or interable or paraplegic, I just want to share how much your love and positivity moves and touches me. I had to fight back tears watching this video. As someone who struggles with depression and who happens to be having not the best day, I am reminded of grace and gratitude and love. And what joy really means. So thank you for sharing your story with us and for being so positive and loving and genuine. It makes such a huge impact on even people who may appear to not be an expected audience.

THE LOVE THAT CHARISMA HAS IN HER EYES FOR COLE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.

I cried watching this😭😭😭! It’s so crazy how in a split second your life can change completely but I love how far you have come Cole! You’re an inspiration! Love from Jamaica!🇯🇲

My sister crushed C4, C5, C6 and fx C3 and C7, broke her femur in 2 places, fx every rib, broke her nose and wrist from a 4 wheeler wreck in 2003. She's an incomplete quad and totally amazing! Praying for you and Charisma!

I sobbed when they pulled the last tube out. And Charisma is so beautiful, inside and out.

I do not know how I got here, but omg. The pureness of this. We need this right now in the hard times of covid.

he can be a motivational speaker.....I salute him for his honesty

Now the way she’s looking at him is everything. I am literally in bliss watching you two. This is LOVE. Blessings to you, you EARNED one another. It’s so amazing to watch so thank you for sharing your extraordinary life w/ us.

I hope this becomes a lesson to all young adults to be careful living life! I’m sorry to hear about your accident, god allowed you a second chance to tell your story. God bless you now and always

I laughed a little at how fast he said she was his source of happiness. No question ot hesitation at all. I'm sorry this happened to you, and I'm happy that your life turned out better than you anticipated

Omg his spirit even when talking for the first time. Amazing

I almost lost my husband over sepsis infection 2 years ago. I was crying so hard watching your segment in ICU. I am so happy for you, the both of you. Her love and devotion surely will see you through. 😍🌹😍

This is a real eye opener! So many people around here lose their lives diving into quarries and such. I’ve lost friends because of it.. my mom told stories of losing her friends... such a simple day of fun can so easily end in tragedy 😞

Hi Charisma and Cole! I found your RU-vid channel by complete chance which isn't by chance at all. I, like you Cole, am a Shepherd patient and a survivor. I was born and raised in Atlanta, went to college out of state and have lived back in Georgia and outside of the state. I was in a catastrophic car accident July 31, 2012 and entered into outpatient care in 2014, two years almost to the day of the anniversary of my wreck. There is no place on earth like Shepherd Center but we are both examples that God isn't finished with us yet! Charisma, you are a beautiful lady!! 😍 Your positive attitude and happy smile is contagious. I had a really bad pain day today and I went looking for uplifting YoutTube Videos and came across y'all's channel. I have no doubt in my mind that it was not by accident. While I'm catching up on your videos and binge-watching like it's my job (haha 😉) I wanted to drop a line to y'all because the community of Shepherd patients may seem vast to many (and sometimes even to us!) but in all actuality, it's a very small and tight knit community. The halls of Shepherd are the halls that for a blip of time, we are surrounded by people with similar health and physical challenges but the exact same drive of hope and to not give up. That doesn't mean it's easy or that there aren't days we just don't feel like pushing anymore.. it just means that it's a bad day, it's not a bad life. I hope you both are very blessed and thank you for sharing your story and your life and your ups and your downs with a whole bunch of strangers. If you're ever down for one of the many events for Shepherd Alum, I would love to say hello and meet you both!! Praying for you guys and your future family... God isn't done yet!! Love & Hugs 💗 - Amy C.

Hey Cole, being on the edges of SCI research for my job, I just wanted to say that we hear this frustration with the progress a lot. I think it's because some researchers and clinicians say the "on the brink" thing because in terms of the science we're so close to figuring some important things out. Unfortunately, that does not always translate as you might expect to actual time, which is of course what matters to people actually living with SCI. Funding is one of the issues. Another is that SCI is a relatively rare injury and it's hard to find participants with the exact characteristics you need to answer the question you're targeting. It takes time to recruit these patients and then suddenly the funding might get cut in the middle and the team has to disband, their efforts wasted. Also, a lot of studies target new SCIs as opposed to old injuries. But things are happening - for example, the recent news with that superresponder coming out of the Mayo clinic with the stem cell injections. In summary, I'm sorry, we realize that it's more frustrating than most of us can possibly imagine, and we really are trying our best. I can honestly say that the doctors and researchers I work with are personally passionate about trying to figure out what we can do. Many of them work on these SCI projects practically for free (like, surgeons charging cents per work-hour on paper just so they can have the redtape excuse needed to help and work on the project) and they make time for it even when it's not their main specialty (because we need all specialties to help consult the project, since SCI affects the system at large and is a very interconnected injury). A good way to keep track of the results that are coming out each day (all small puzzle pieces that we then piece together to improve SCI treatment) is following SCI researchers or organizations or even studies on Twitter, and of course articles on PubMed and the like. Things ARE changing: for example, recently a hospital in the US changed their standard of care for keeping blood pressure up (important for the cord) in response to study results that supported a different metric which was more successful. So research is having an impact already, but in many small, non-showy ways that little by little improve outcomes. The stem cell trials are the big, drastic results that people are expecting, but a lot of the research is the small things we can change that will have people leaving the hospital with much better recovery odds than they would have had they been injury years earlier. Last thing I want to leave everyone who is reading this with is that one of THE most crucial and well-supported findings is that SURGERY SHOULD HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Every hour lost makes a big difference in recovery. So if you or a loved one has an SCI, do everything you can to make sure they get into an MRI and then the OR ASAP. Some hospitals and doctors show pushback on this ultra-early-surgery idea because it's difficult for the hospital to implement but the evidence is really solid and it CAN be done, as several hospitals throughout the nation have proven with their injury-to-surgery times.

I love the way charisma looks at Cole with admiration. Such a young couple can give pointers to real love in this generation. Showing the real definition of a relationship to the world. I pray that you two stay together forever. I'm glad that god has blessed you Cole to know what it feels like to be in a meaningful relationship. And never let other people's hate get to you because you're a biracial couple. As long as you love charisma and she loves you who really cares. I love both of you. I subscribe and I'm hooked. God bless💝💝🙏🙏

I never seen love like this never knew it even existed

I love how she looks at him. So attentive. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Cole, you are very brave to go back to where your life did a whole 160. The difference now is that you have a Beautiful Woman, by your side that you can totally share what you are going through without being judged or pitted. True meaning of "LOVE"

My father was a quadriplegic from a car accident. He was a fighter just like you and although it wasn’t easy with every thing he went through, he enjoyed life after his injury and rehabilitation. You and your wife are such a beautiful couple. Blessings to both of you!!

The way she looks up at you is pure and genuine love💯🙏🏾❤️

You guys are so cute. Thanks for the inspiration :)

She is so beautiful. What a handsome guy. Love their love and care for each other. GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THEM... 💝💝💝💝

I've only just discovered this channel and I love these two already.

Cole, thank you for being transparent with sharing about your accident struggles, good times, love🙃

That’s my cousin!

Thanks for sharing your story, Cole. I'm a 56 year old mother of four adult babies, and I can only imagine the pain and fear your mom, dad and family members had to endure. Needless to say, my heart became heavy watching your story. I'm a firm believer in prayer, and a firm believer that everything happens for a reason - good and bad. Whether you know it or not, you and Charisma are an inspiration to so many by the sharing of your journey. I just love the love you two have for one another. You babies stay positive now, and continue to lean on one another when feeling blue. Keeping you in my prayers.

I just found y’alls channel and I’m SHOOK bc I remember seeing the report on the news about what happened since I live an hour away. I’m so sorry that this happened to you but the love you two have for each other is amazing. Thank you for sharing

I am so glad I found you guys. I am so encouraged by your story. Love is a powerful force.

Such an inspiring story. God please bless this young man. Continue to watch over him.

You are so blessed and you two are so blessed to have each other

The way you two smile and look at each other melts my heart!

You are truly a blessing and inspiration for people who feel they can't do anything do to having a disability

Oh wow!!you've been through much.may god continue to improve your mobility

“What’s up guys” that smile!! Wow what a moving story, thank you for sharing those videos!

Very proud of you both,and I love how you two show each loving each other

Here I am after 3 years when this video was made, and still having tears roll down my checks. You are a warrior Cole, you have come far ❤🙏

You both look so happy together. Never give up

It's great to see you have a huge support system. Sometimes having people to show they care will bring you back from tragedy. Good luck to the both of you❤

For someone to go through this and still manage to be such a happy soul is beyond amazing.You are such an inspiration and l feel like this happened to you so you could inknowingly heal and inspire other people

RU-vid send you guys to me and am loving every minute of it.2019 was the worse year yet losing family friends my baby 😭😭.you guys are a blessing.

Thank you for sharing your story Cole. You are an inspiration for many people. Always keep up your positivity!

Thank you Cole for sharing your story. Damn I'm 😢. Your will and fight, your vitality is extraordinarily inspiring.

You are so blessed to have a great support system.

I'm so happy I stumbled across this channel. Please stay positive anything can happen and turns things around. I love you guys together and I'm happy he has someone by his side that truly loves him.

you can see how Cole really adores Charisma patient compassionate Angel

I empathize with you Cole, I love how your attitude adjusted. I’m happy you found love. You are truly a blessing

You’re so strong and it’s great to have such a great woman by your side❣️❣️ Cole you’re blessed and loved don’t let the bad days out weigh the good because both of you are worth it all 🤗🥰🙏

As im watching this, like the tears just want stop, you are incredibly strong. I admire your strength and how open you are with sharing your story. And you guys love story is just amazing

I literally just watched all your videos, and for some reason this was the last one I didn't even know it was your latest video,I cried watching this one and I also subscribed,both of you are a inspiration 💓💓

This video....and you as a couple....has touched my heart. I wish you both the best!

The generosity of spirit in sharing your journey, vulnerability moments and all, it’s just mind boggling, Cole. Thanks so much for your your courage, young man. You are so inspiring and the two of you together unbeatable. After just a couple of videos I’ve turned into a big fan. Best

This video is pretty old but i can across you guys youtube channel and i instantly felt inspired! just from this video you guys showed me that there is nothing in life that can stop you. Cole I give you all of my respect for striving through and pushing through such a hard time. You’re such a great and positive person! Both of you are just such great people and i just wanted to Thank you for showing me that giving up is not an option and that i can and will push through whatever!

Two lovely souls. Nice to see. Hope you both keep that as the years go by & don't let ANYTHING take it from you.